GLITCH

Unprecedented Event

INTELLIGENCE BRANCH OFFICE, Emerald City

Tuesday, October 31, 2500 10:30 AM

Inside the lobby, I eat the cake they prepared for me leisurely. I did my report to the board earlier; I did exclude the part that I killed one of those griffins, since there'll be a load of bad omen waiting for me if I reveal it; most of all, I DON'T REALLY WANT TO STAND OUT!

For some reason, they stopped me from going back to the school. They called the school principal and made me excused; the principal knows of my profession. Well he's the type of person that doesn't mind stuff like this. Then the higher echelon ordered me to wait for a moment.

After a couple of minutes or so, I heard a knock on the door; I guess that's Sir Ronald, one of the officers here; but then…

It's not him.

Rather, it's a familiar lady with glossy green hair and a perfect body figure and height. She's wearing an office outfit and is carrying some sort of small black box about the size of a fist. It's the first time seeing her here in the office. I haven't heard something about a new worker here; anyway…

"Miss Ferni, why are you here?" I stood up and come to shake her hand.

"Hello Rylai, you're still composed as always. Shall we take a sit?"

"Of course", I replied while still having the face painted with doubts.

A few moments later…

"…your credits is way too exceptional for you to stay as a student and rot; for that matter, you are hereby appointed as an instructor for the prestigious academy sponsored by AGA", Ferni said while putting a smirk on her face.

"Huh?"

"Don't 'huh' me, don't you feel honored coming to that superb school. On top of that, you'll be an instructor already!"

"B-b-b-b-b-b-but…what about my school…?"

"Oh that? You've been officially graduated!" she exclaimed as she puts the black box on the table and pressed the top portion.

A virtual image appeared in front of my eyes and it clearly shows a congratulatory message of me being graduated. Then, a notification appeared on my G-watch; it notified me that my academic status has been updated to College Graduate – Accelerated EX.

What's with this status? Is this some kind of farce?

W-w-w-w-w-w-why…

WHY

DID IT COME TO THIS!

•••

SYAKILA'S DORMITORY, Emerald City

Tuesday, October 31, 2500 6:12 PM

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH…"

"Hmm…? Why do you look so depressed Rylai?" the landlady named Syakila asked.

Syakila is a lady in her 20's with a bit of a slender but frail body ever since that incident where she got rammed by a truck. She survived miraculously, and is regularly visited by a doctor whom she deemed as her friend. She got a gentle face and has this motherly aura whenever you talk to her. She's the one who took me in when I'm nothing and ever since then, I did my best to earn money for medicine payment and doctor's medical fee. I did earn a lot though, so my savings went on a high-note.

I guess I made her worry.

"I just appointed as an instructor for the Glitch Academy", I said with a gloomy tone.

"Isn't that an amazing feat? To think that in that young age," she said it with her eyes closed.

She made it sound like she's my mom and is praising her daughter.

"No it's not. It's definitely not fine at all. I always conceal my identity since I don't want to stand out."

"Oh…even though you wanted to become a teacher in the first place…" she chuckled while saying those words.

"Ngh! How did you know about that?"

"Mmm? Don't underestimate the one who raised you. I still remember the time when there's that parent's day or something like that. The way you report is just like someone who teaches briefly; even your classmates and their parents are in awe. Then there's that one time where you teach those little kids in your room. Mrs. Pore is truly grateful for your efforts you know?"

Ah. I'm exposed.

The landlady tilted her head and put her right hand on her face and said, "I wonder what happened to you while in public. Did I mess up while raising you?"

"Eh?" what is she talking about?

"To think I made an error and made you fear the public", she sobbed.

Tears!? Is she crying now!?

"What are – please stop it!"

"So you'll be going to the academy then! Yay!" she said excitedly.

Ugh, I forgot that she and Miss Ferni are siblings. They got me good.

"Miss Syakila…" I spoke while looking down.

"Hmm…? What is it Rylai?" Miss Syakila responded with a smile on her face.

"I…I can't…"

Miss Syakila seems to know what I wanted to say. A moment of silence mounted in the room illuminated with the moonlight. Miss Syakila's brown hair flutters as the wind gently blows, as if the cold night embraced the sincerity of her eyes. She signaled me to come closer; when I got close enough, she hugged me gently.

Ah, so warm…

"Don't worry about me my dear Rylai", she let go of her hug and then gently touched my cheek with her left hand. "This is your life, and as your guardian, who oversees your growth, it's a bit sad to have you and I part ways. However, I want you to do what you want to do. So there, don't pull your punches; this is the occupation you've been dreaming of."

"It came way too early though…"

"Haha! Who cares? It's a shortcut", she then puts a smile on her face.

"Since I'm no longer a student, I shall take care of you in a year!" I removed my gloomy atmosphere and replaced it with a smile.

Miss Syakila chuckled and said, "My, my… I shall take up to your offer then."

•••

??? CAVE

October 31, 2500 7:00 PM

In the most inner part of the cave, there's a hidden room with an eerie atmosphere engulfing within it. Even just standing in front of the door is enough to kill a person due to its demonic miasma. Inside, there are four individuals covered in such dense poisonous miasma, sitting idly there as the silence pierced the place.

With him not taking it anymore, the seemingly short-tempered guy wearing a blood-red full face mask spoke.

"Goddamn, isn't he taking a long time coming here? It may not look like it, but I'm a busy man."

"I'm pretty much the same, but be patient there mister; this gathering of ours will truly be beneficial", the one with a gentlemanly aura and wearing an ocean blue mask, just enough to hide his eyes, said as he gently sips a cup of fresh human blood.

"Sigh, will the two of you shut your mouths? I prefer hearing the sound of silence than your ramblings", the one wearing a hood spoke with a crook voice.

"I…want…kill…humans…" the one with gigantic muscles muttered.

As the four of them keep causing ruckus, they became quiet as they heard the door opened. At the doorstep, a man with an overwhelming demonic presence made his appearance.

"Shall we have our little chitchat? It's time for us to finally make a move", the man stated as the door slowly closes, giving off an eerie creaking noise coming from its hinges.